Matt Taylor has given his reaction having his chance to assess Exeter City's League One schedule for the 2022-23 season, which was released earlier this morning.
On the opening game...
The Grecians first third tier campaign kicks off on Saturday July 30 with a trip to Lincoln City's LNER Stadium to face the Imps.
"They're a club with a new manager and new expectation. It's a good first fixture for ourselves. Obviously there's a lot of travel involved but there always is when you're Exeter City," Matt said.
"We will go there well supported and it'll be a day out for the Grecians. It's one to look forward to."
On Argyle fixtures...
"There are so many fixtures to look forward to, including the Devon Derby. It's not ideal we go to Derby County the Tuesday before that October fixture! Then we welcome them back towards the end of the season in the middle of a run of fixtures against some top top teams."
On Festive period...
"It's certainly important from a manager's point of view in terms of players' fatigue levels that we don't have too much travelling to do over the festive period. No bigger game than a home game against Portsmouth on Boxing Day. That could well be a sell out. The closer ones within the schedule are not too much travelling which is great."
On Derby County...
"The fans deserve to be disappointed that Derby is on a Tuesday night. We haven't played at Derby in a long long time and certainly not at Pride Park. For them to fall on a Tuesday night is unfortunate, but we can't control it."
On end of the season run...
"It's a daunting end of the season, but you can think of it in different ways. We have to positive and look forward to them. The team will have evovled over that period. We will have an idea of where the team is in the first ten games or so. Regardless of league position, we'd expect those games to attract a good bit of publicity. I certainly expect those teams to be at the right end of the table, and I'm relishing the opportunity to play against them."
On beginning of pre-season training...
"The players and staff have had a well earned break, something the group haven't been able to have in previous seasons for various reasons.
"I've spoken to a majority of the group and they all seem in a good place physically and mentally. We've still got one or two issues from last season, but it's my job to add more quality to that group.
"We're heading to Wales for a training camp next week and they are always really important. We'll be focusing on the fitness work but with a few football related aspects and then we'll be travelling back down on the Friday to Tiverton for the friendly.
On transfer window...
"Certainly we are finding it difficult to compete with clubs in our division, and even some of the bigger clubs in the two divisions below us. It's incredible because I imagine there's a lot of good players out there and we've identified them, but we're not even in the conversation for those players.
"More than a likely, our signings will be a few loan signings but we have to be respectful of those players that are contracted to their clubs and will likely want a pre-season with those clubs and play a couple of friendlies.
"It's work in progress at the moment but it's a challenge and we have to relish it and look forward to it. We believe we can keep improving this squad."
Here are the quick links to all the content on fixtures!
- View the full fixture list
- Read Matt Taylor's reaction to the fixtures
- Read Matt Jay's reaction to the fixtures and returning to training
- Download the fixture wallpaper
- Take a look at the key dates
- Find out how to sync the fixtures to your calendar/phone
- Take a look back at the last 5 opening day fixtures